A narrative analysis of the party platforms: The democrats and republicans of 1984

Abstract

This essay examines the 1984 party platforms from the perspective of Fisher's narrative paradigm. In doing so the author evaluates Fisher's logic of good reasons in action within these two partisan constructions of political reality. The work concludes that though these two narratives followed different strategies, they both displayed the internal consistency required by Fisher's perspective as they reflected transcendent values that were both relevant to and consistent with party tradition.

Key concepts:

• Narrative paradigm
• party platforms
• narrative fidelity
• logic of good reasons